An Investigation of the Psychology of Password Replacement by Email Users

Abstract

Recently, leaks of the personal information of Internet users have been occurring too frequently. Generally, Internet users have email accounts. The use of email as a communications tool in the private and public sectors has increased. Therefore, in email usage, password management to ensure a more secure email service is most important. In this study, we conducted an online survey of email users and analyzed their responses by using structural equation modeling software to find the psychological and behavioral characteristics of their password management. The results of this study provide useful suggestions on information security strategies related to email password management at both the enterprise and individual levels.